Ken and Tahoe

Meet Graduate Kenneth

Graduate Team: Kenneth and Tahoe
About the Team: Tahoe, a male yellow lab, is Ken’s 1st guide dog
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Training: June 2024 Home Training

Ken comes to Guiding Eyes for his first guide dog and he and Tahoe live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends who also have guide dogs. Tahoe enjoys getting to run and play with their dogs. Ken’s family also lives close by. Ken enjoys going on nature walks and reading and is looking forward to hiking with Tahoe, as well as taking him to the water to see if he likes to swim! Ken appreciates being matched with a dog that is not only trained for his balance and hearing issues but is also a loving companion that has enriched his life in so many ways.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “He’s very loyal and very calm, but he has bursts of energy when he gets to be around other dogs! He’s also very attached to me. He follows me from room to room and likes to check up on me all the time. We work really well together! He’s a good boy! He sleeps in my room on the floor at the foot of my bed. I had him on my bed a couple of times, but he doesn’t like to stay there all night! I think I toss and turn too much, and he gets annoyed and hops off the bed!”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I did some research into guide dog schools, and I liked Guiding Eyes. It seemed like a good school! Most of my friends have guide dogs and have told me about their experiences. Doing the research and calling different schools helped. I have balance issues after some surgeries and I’m hard of hearing as well. Unfortunately, other schools said they couldn’t help with balance or specialty dogs. Andrea at Guiding Eyes trained Tahoe for me and he actually works on my right side. He’s a bigger boy so he can counteract my balance. They taught him if I’m leaning into him too much to push back. They didn’t give up on that and it took him an extra year to be trained for me. I’m so happy with my decision.” 

How has having a guide dog impacted your life?  “Tahoe gives me more confidence when I go out! It’s also helpful in that I’m hard of hearing and often if people are knocking on the door, he’ll let me know. He might stand up and go to the door, signaling that something happened that I didn’t hear. He gives me a lot more structure in my life! He’s a guide and provides assistance, but he’s also a companion and a friend.  I think Tahoe is really good for me. He gives me a lot more confidence when I’m traveling. He makes a big impact on my life! He fills my life up. All around he’s doing pretty good!”

Were there any training highlights?  “We went to the mall a couple of times during training, and he helped me through the mall a lot faster and more efficiently. We worked on escalators and elevators and went in and out of stores. We also worked on walking through crowds. We tried to give him the whole experience! We stopped and got something to eat, and he was great while we ate!”

Meet Guide Dog Tahoe

DOB:  11/1/2020
Litter ID: 2TT20
Color/Breed:  Yellow, Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Dallas
Stud: Yarmouth
Littermates: Tigger
Region:  Southern Tier NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cassie Houghton
Puppy Raiser:  The Sortore Family
Facebook: Southern Tier Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Tahoe would be described as always having a smile on his face! He is happy all the time! He has never meet a human or dog he doesn’t love and vice versa!! Tahoe has the ability to adapt to any situation confidently and calmly. He is a rock! Tahoe was with high school students all day and adapted easily to whatever challenges he faced daily. The first day of school he was only 8 weeks old. He fell asleep in my arms right before class started. I still taught the class and he remained snuggled in my arms. His personality is the best! He loves to be as close to his humans as possible. That year many students gladly sat on the floor during class to have Tahoe sit with them. Outings were so much fun because he excelled in any situation! We are so happy for this next step in this journey! Ken and Tahoe are an incredible team!  ~The Sortore Family 

Photos of the Team…